Kindle2 Opens the Ebook Watershed: The Time Has Come

It’s time to go ebook, if you haven’t already. Today amazon.com releases their next generation Kindle2 ebook reading device, which is now able to pull information out of the (cell phone) wireless networks internationally…and you don’t have to subscribe to a cell phone service to do so. This means that the medium has gone totally global; you can read an ebook anywhere — and update/sync/buy anywhere, too.

So what? This means that publishers everywhere will now see a new way to reach millions of readers, so they’re all going to push these electronic formats (if they haven’t already). Readers like you and me, will benefit with a huge library of titles available, at cheap discounts and other incentives to start reading our books on these devices.

Stephen Marche wrote a great article in the Wall Street Journal, claiming that the release of the International Kindle 2 will change the book as we know it. A survey of industry insiders at the Frankfurt Book Fair discovered a belief that ebooks will surpass print books as the dominant medium by 2018. But don’t worry. The print versions won’t die; this is just another option. The industry is like the movies: you can watch it in the theater, or buy a DVD or stream it online. All the same movie. Same principle here for books. There are now just more “on demand” options for readers. As a writer, I only see this as one venue among many to reach people.

And amazon.com isn’t the only option (though, like iTunes, I think it will swiftly become the dominant way to get them, because they make it so easy). Barnes and Noble and Sony are both offering competition, and there’s more on the horizon. The ebook marketplace has been the realm of the independent bookseller for years already, too, so specialty publishers like my old friends at Delirium Books have launched imprints (“Delirium Digital Editions”) dedicated completely to very niche markets where you can get exclusive ebook titles only from them.

I don’t expect to rake in the dough — I just want to reach more readers. And as a writer, I need to read the way readers do. I’ve come to the realization that my little old palm pilot just isn’t an adequate reflection of how people read ebooks anymore; and the computer screen has never been the most convenient substitute for a book. Kindle looks like the best, most dominant medium for the message. So I preordered my first Kindle yesterday, and expect great things. You should too. The time has come. They’ll get cheaper and better in the future — techie toys always do — but I’m convinced this is the watershed year for ebooks. You might as well get your feet wet now. Buy a Kindle!

Michael Arnzen is an award-winning author of horror fiction and an English professor at Seton Hill University, where he has taught writing since 1999. His trophy case includes four Bram Stoker Awards and an International Horror Guild Award for his often funny, always disturbing stories. Join his social network at michaelarnzen.com.

10 thoughts on “Kindle2 Opens the Ebook Watershed: The Time Has Come”

I think ereaders have a long way to go before they are as wide spread as the iPod for comparison. A good first try on Amazon’s part but it lacks plenty of features that, at this point in time, should be easy add to the reader as well as a lower price point.

Though I find myself tempted to buy one, I am waiting for a few changes, like a color screen, better power management, better form factor.

Rumors are that Apple is working on a tablet compute that would also double as a ereader so Kindle may have some hefty competition soon.

Good point, Paul. I expect the competition to soar! That’s why I feel it’s a ‘watershed’ moment. Amazon is positioned well, like iTunes, with content. Lots of choices; publishers are attracted to that. (Even apple, which now offers a kindle reader for the ipod). But it’s only one of many outlets. Right now, I’m diving in with the Kindle. No better way to learn and get involved. Once the dust settles in five years or so, I’ll probably upgrade to who knows what…and Apple, as you point out, could give us the next big thing!

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Press & Praise

[Arnzen uses] clever plot twists that ratchet up the terror and tension, and keep the reader both unbalanced and guessing just what will happen next while keeping the reader thoroughly engrossed within the story at all times. [The B**chfight is] an enormously entertaining modern tale of terror perhaps destined to become a future classic…it receives my highest recommendation. This is a book you will not want to miss.